Closing: Continuous

Description

DutiesIn collaboration with the Fire Program Manager the position independently plans, prioritizes, coordinates and implements prescribed {RX) burn projects for fire-dependent dry forest ecosystems located on DFW wildlife lands. This position will serve as a staff assistant in Rx burn program for Eastern Washington Zone and have supervisory responsibility over other professionals and skilled technicians. This position contributes to/supports the mission of WDFW of preserving, protecting and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats by restoring fire as a disturbance agent at the appropriate frequency to fire dependent ecosystems/habitats sustaining and perpetuating the plants and animals dependent thereon.

Conserve and protect native fish and wildlife – Healthy Fish and Wildlife:

• Ensure the ecological integrity of critical habitat and ecological systems is protected and restored.
• Washington’s fish and wildlife diversity is protected at levels consistent with ecosystem management principles, established in the Conservation Initiative.
• Threatened and endangered fish and wildlife populations are recovered to healthy, self-sustaining levels.

Provide sustainable fishing, hunting, and other wildlife related recreational and commercial experiences:

• Fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities are enhanced and expanded.
• Hatcheries and public access sites are safe, clean, and effectively support people’s use and enjoyment of natural resources.
• Tribal treaty coordination and implementation is achieved with adequate resources

Build an effective and efficient organization by supporting our workforce, improving business processes, and investing in technology:

• The department has a diverse, robust workforce with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet future business needs.
• Employees are energized, engaged in agency priorities, and empowered to continuously improve their productivity.
• Achieve operational excellence through effective business processes, workload management, and investments in technology.
• Work environments are safe, highly functional, and cost effective

Prescribed Burn Planning:

• Assist in developing policies and procedures for use of Rx fire on WDFW lands
• Assist in development and implementation of an Rx bum program for fire-dependent dry forest ecosystems in Eastern Washington Zone. Develop fuels inventory and assessment using knowledge of various fuel types, fuel inventory methodology and protocol.
• Apply NWCG burn plan format and standards in writing burn plans for the purpose of applying prescribed fire as a tool to manage wildlife habitat on Wildlife Areas dry forest and shrub-steppe habitats
• Obtain burn permits for planned and funded units. Participate in smoke management planning and implementation.
• Assist with setting up agreements for implementation with other agencies and private contractors. Perform pre burn operations such as fire line location and construction, water delivery needs and set up

Prescribed Bum Implementation:

• Complete burn unit assessment and layout in assigned areas involving weather, fuels consumption, and smoke observations.
• Obtain smoke management approval and reporting. Maintain daily accomplishment reporting, resource tracking and developing resource needs, cost tracking, and burn submitting other post burn reports
• Implement and supervise burns at a minimum of NWCG, Qualified and certified RXB2.
• Perform post burn operations – mop up and patrol, removal of equipment, documentation of functions performed during the post burn timeframe, Perform post burn monitoring- photo points, vegetation consumption,and other fire effects.

Supervision:

• developing work plans and supervise a minimum crew of 5 people in fuel preparation, bur.n unit preparation, Rx bum initiation and completion, equipment maintenance, training, make recommendation for training, hiring, safety, performance evaluation & correction.
• Assist in developing individual employee training plans and document qualifications according to NWCG standards.
• Provide for employee and public safety while implementing assigned projects including prescribed burning.

Administrative:

• Develop and maintain records of Rx burns, personnel participation, costs of preparing for and implementing Rx bums.
• Develop and maintain equipment inventory, Equipment acquisition and repair.
• Maintain budget tracking of program and work with Finance for assistance.
• Assist in developing IQS fire training record storage and retrieval system for WDFW.
• Maintain pertinent employee tracking records

Fire Effects Monitoring and Inventory:

• In collaboration with botanists and wildlife biologists develop and implement Fire Effects Monitoring and Inventory System www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/24042.

Develop interagency and organization relationships:

• Assist with developing working relationships and agreements with other fire management organizations, e.g., TNC-FLN, USFS, USF&WS, BLM, BIA, & Tribal entities, NPS, WA State Parks, WA DNR, private contractors and local fire districts.
• Assist with developing and coordinating schedules with other fire management organizations to increase opportunities for individuals to develop Rx bum knowledge, skills and abilities as well as work on their Rx fire Qualifications.         ?

Responsible for:

• Direct supervision of 1 Natural Resource Specialist 1 working 40 hours per week, 10 months per year
• Indirect supervision of 1 career seasonal Crew Supervisor 2 working 40 hours per week, 10 months per year and 6 career seasonal Natural Resource Technician 2’s, working 40 hours per week, 9 months per year

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree involving major study in forestry, agriculture, aqua culture, business, engineering, geology, or a related natural science and two to three years of related professional experience

OR

Typically requires one to two years of professional experience as a Natural Resource Specialist 1 or three years of experience in other natural resource specialties such as natural resource engineering, land management, land technician, natural resource technician. forest cruising, or engineering aid

Required Qualifications:

• Fire ecology; fire behavior, fire effects and by products and their ecosystem actions; fire weather; fuel types; fuel conditions; fuels assessment; smoke management; NWCG standards; knowledge of tools and techniques used to prepare for and implement Rx burns
• Working knowledge of Washington State burn laws; Working knowledge, of smoke management rules & smoke management plans at the State and Federal level
• Working knowledge of management and supervision of fire line hand crews and/or prescribed fire hand crews.
• Ability to effectively work with multiple individuals from multiple organizations towards a common goal.
• Effective communicator both orally and in writing. Write clear and concise reports; Develop and present information so that individuals and/or audiences who are not familiar with fire ecology, fire management and/or prescribed burning clearly understand content

The employee must know or understand:

• Team building skills: Leads and promotes cooperation and commitment within a team to achieve goals and deliverables.
• People skills: communicates well with others while assigning tasks, instructions and expectations. Deals with difficult personnel interactions with sensitivity, fairness and resolve.
• Training: Provides learning opportunities for others to advance in their fire qualifications following NWCG guidelines which will promote a stronger work force.
• Communications: Clear oral and written instructions, listening, incorporating and learning from what supervisors and others have said. Also when unclear or in doubt regarding direction asks appropriate questions for clarification.
• Safety focus: Adhere to all workplace and safety standards for fire management operations.
• Use of fire management tools and fuel inventory tools.
• Equipment operation (ATV, UTV, 4-wheel drive vehicles; brush fire engine, water pumps)
• Use of water handling equipment
• Ability to effectively work with multiple individuals from multiple organizations towards a common goal.
• Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and makes the best use of available time and resources

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Science and a minimum of 3 years prescribed burning experience qualified at the NCWG standard of RXB2 with all supporting position qualifications for conducting prescribed.

May consider a candidate with an Associate’s Degree in Natural Resource Sciences/Management and 5 years of experience at the NWCG standard of RX82, with all supporting position qualifications for conducting prescribed burns, may substitute for a 4 year degree.

• Holds Certificates or records of successful completion of S-390 training.
• Demonstrated ability through experience to collaborate with other organizations, e.g., Private, Local, State, Federal and/or Tribal, to coordinate efforts to restore fire to fire dependent wildlife habitats
• Demonstrated ability through experience to plan, coordinate and implement multi-organization fire projects to provide cross-training contemporaneously with fire restoration to fire dependent wildlife habitat.
• Training in ecological monitoring of fire, fire effects and fire by-products.
• Familiar with and/or training in fuels and fire management software.
• Familiar with and experience in fire weather.

Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:

Certified and current under National Wildfire Coordinating Group specifications and standards as Prescribed Burn Boss 2 (RXB2) with all supporting position qualifications including S-390 certificates and all supporting position qualifications for conducting prescribed burns.Supplemental Information
In-Training Plan, if Applicable:

An “In Training” plan can be established if the incumbent does not hold the qualifications as an RXB 2. The incumbent would remain in probationary status until they are fully qualified as an RXB 2. The incumbent wound need to meet these requirements within 12 months after date of hire. To become an RXB 2 you must be qualified as a Type 4 Incident Commander and Firing Boss. Required training is S-390 and RT-130.

Working Conditions:

Work Setting, including hazards:

• This position will require work in an office environment as well as working in the field on uneven terrain carrying a typical fire field pack and possibly tools in all types of weather and often smoky conditions.

Schedule (i.e., hours and days):

• Regular schedule is full time, 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. Work will exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week during prescribed burning season. Some weekend work will be required.

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent traveling to conduct planning and implementation of fuels projects, especially prescribed burning will be required.

Tools and Equipment:

• Normal office equipment will be used. For planning purposes GPS units and GIS will be used. During burning projects all firefighting tools and equipment will be used including hand tools, pumps and water handling equipment,engines and chainsaws.

Customer Interactions:

• Interaction with other agencies, the public will occur regularly to explain fire control work. This position will require communications and interaction with the public, DFW employees subordinates contractors, and interagency cooperators.

Other:

• Ability to walk, bend, stoop, while at times carrying up to 50 lbs. Ability to follow oral and written directions
• Ability to load and transport equipment and gear, Willingness to perform in a safe and efficient manner,
• Willingness to accept supervision. Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Willingness and ability to perform in a punctual and dependable manner.

Union:

This position is in the bargaining unit represented by the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals and is subject to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington, Department of Fish & Wildlife, and the Washington Association of Fish & Wildlife Professionals.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, you MUST complete your profile at www.careers.wa.gov, include 3 professional references, and attach the following to your profile before completing the online application:

• A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (generic cover letter will not be accepted)
• A current resume

Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead to disqualification. Emailed documents will not be accepted in lieu of attaching your documents to the on line profile.

Upon submission of your online application, you will immediately receive a confirmation e-mail.  You will then be notified via e-mail of your status during the process.  In addition to the e-mail notifications, you can check the status of your application at any time by visiting your online profile at www.careers.wa.gov.  Due to the high volume of applications that we receive, we ask your understanding and encourage you to use the online process and avoid calling for information.

Please note that initial screening will be solely based on the completeness of application materials submitted and the contents and completeness of the “work experience” section of your application in NEOGOV. A resume will not substitute for the “work experience” section of the application. The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. Responses not supported in your application may disqualify you from consideration for employment in this position. All information will be verified and documentation may be required.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, disabled and Vietnam era veterans and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2276 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (800) 833-6388.